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James O'Brien

Hockey Daily Dose

Perry Rich Indeed

Sometimes, you have a good idea that a signing is in the works. Reports surface that the two sides are close. Maybe there’s another contract that serves as a crystal-clear comparable or perhaps the two sides face a no-bones-about-it deadline.

While Ryan Getzlaf’s eight-year, $66 million contract clearly gave Corey Perry’s people a benchmark for the eventual eight-year, $69 million extension that the 27-year-old forward inked on Monday, it still was a little bit surprising that that news dropped. One could argue that it shouldn’t have been, however; in fact, maybe Perry’s suspension and/or Geztlaf's extension forced the door back open on those talks?

ODD DUCKS OUT

Either way, the Ducks face an interesting proposition next season: who needs to go to make things work? Between Perry and Getzlaf, Anaheim is already out $16.9 million (or so) in cap money. Even with veteran deals like Teemu Selanne’s and Saku Koivu’s off the books, Anaheim’s front office will probably have some tough decisions to make. (That’s especially true if “The Finnish Flash” decides he isn’t finished.)

Still, it’s probably good news for the Ducks overall. The two power forwards have proven to be top performers, although one could argue that they’re a little less consistent than some of the absolute best players in the league.

DYNAMIC DUOS

Actually, that got me thinking about some of the most expensive duos in the NHL. How do Perry and Getzlaf stack up, both cash and production wise? I’ll keep the listings simple according to this season’s numbers, but I’ll consider past behavior, too.

Notes: these duos aren’t always going to be linemates. Instead, the point is to consider “faces of” given NHL franchises. Also, don’t get bent out of shape if your favorite pairing has been left out; this list isn’t meant to be comprehensive.

Perry and Getzlaf

Price: almost $17 million starting next season, a little under $11 million in 2013.

Thoughts: The definition of “get what you pay for,” as this duo has the highest ceiling of any in the league at among the highest prices. They do carry significant risks, however, especially in the injury department.

Thoughts: The modern Oates-to-Hull is actually pretty affordable. Stamkos’ $7.5 million hit isn't half-bad considering his relatively clockwork scoring skills (he hit the 200 goal mark last night) while St. Louis has been one of the league's best bargains for years. Fantasy-wise, St. Louis’ peripherals haven’t always been the greatest, but he’s well worth a high pick this season.

Thoughts: Remember when the Blackhawks were victims of the salary cap? Now look at how unfair that combined cap hit looks as the two keep getting better. Sure, it’s a little misleading because of frontloading CBA loophole trickery, but those are magnificent deals nonetheless. Kane’s production is catching up with his on-ice magic while Toews is a multi-category wiz.

Thoughts: They really haven’t slowed down much - if any - yet, have they? Zetterberg might actually hold some advantages fantasy-wise over his more-heralded partner in crime, especially in leagues where his dual eligibility (C/LW) is acknowledged. (Also, he has 94 shots to Datsyuk’s 65.)

Sometimes, you have a good idea that a signing is in the works. Reports surface that the two sides are close. Maybe there’s another contract that serves as a crystal-clear comparable or perhaps the two sides face a no-bones-about-it deadline.

While Ryan Getzlaf’s eight-year, $66 million contract clearly gave Corey Perry’s people a benchmark for the eventual eight-year, $69 million extension that the 27-year-old forward inked on Monday, it still was a little bit surprising that that news dropped. One could argue that it shouldn’t have been, however; in fact, maybe Perry’s suspension and/or Geztlaf's extension forced the door back open on those talks?

ODD DUCKS OUT

Either way, the Ducks face an interesting proposition next season: who needs to go to make things work? Between Perry and Getzlaf, Anaheim is already out $16.9 million (or so) in cap money. Even with veteran deals like Teemu Selanne’s and Saku Koivu’s off the books, Anaheim’s front office will probably have some tough decisions to make. (That’s especially true if “The Finnish Flash” decides he isn’t finished.)

Still, it’s probably good news for the Ducks overall. The two power forwards have proven to be top performers, although one could argue that they’re a little less consistent than some of the absolute best players in the league.

DYNAMIC DUOS

Actually, that got me thinking about some of the most expensive duos in the NHL. How do Perry and Getzlaf stack up, both cash and production wise? I’ll keep the listings simple according to this season’s numbers, but I’ll consider past behavior, too.

Notes: these duos aren’t always going to be linemates. Instead, the point is to consider “faces of” given NHL franchises. Also, don’t get bent out of shape if your favorite pairing has been left out; this list isn’t meant to be comprehensive.

Perry and Getzlaf

Price: almost $17 million starting next season, a little under $11 million in 2013.

Thoughts: The definition of “get what you pay for,” as this duo has the highest ceiling of any in the league at among the highest prices. They do carry significant risks, however, especially in the injury department.

Thoughts: The modern Oates-to-Hull is actually pretty affordable. Stamkos’ $7.5 million hit isn't half-bad considering his relatively clockwork scoring skills (he hit the 200 goal mark last night) while St. Louis has been one of the league's best bargains for years. Fantasy-wise, St. Louis’ peripherals haven’t always been the greatest, but he’s well worth a high pick this season.

Thoughts: Remember when the Blackhawks were victims of the salary cap? Now look at how unfair that combined cap hit looks as the two keep getting better. Sure, it’s a little misleading because of frontloading CBA loophole trickery, but those are magnificent deals nonetheless. Kane’s production is catching up with his on-ice magic while Toews is a multi-category wiz.

Thoughts: They really haven’t slowed down much - if any - yet, have they? Zetterberg might actually hold some advantages fantasy-wise over his more-heralded partner in crime, especially in leagues where his dual eligibility (C/LW) is acknowledged. (Also, he has 94 shots to Datsyuk’s 65.)

While the early word on Marian Hossa’s upper-body injury is that it’s “not bad,” it’s still a bit exhausting to see the 34-year-old get banged up once more. Amazingly, he’s played in 28 games so far this season despite two (and now three) incidents in which he’s seemingly been hurt.

There’s allegedly even a chance he might play on Wednesday. I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one, although Hossa’s proven me wrong once or twice already this season.

PLUS AND MINUSES

I’ve mentioned it before, but it begs repeated mentions: plus/minus is a joke stat, although I will admit that it’s one that’s at least difficult to drop in fantasy because of its deeply ingrained status.

It’s pretty funny to see how much team quality impacts the number though. Take for instance, the polar opposites between a few defensemen.

On one hand, you have surprise successes Francois Beauchemin and Sheldon Souray, who share the league leading among defensemen with +19 marks. Before 2011-12, Souray wasn’t even in the NHL for contract reasons while Beauchemin was struggling with life after Chris Pronger/Scott Niedermayer, bouncing from the Maple Leafs back to the Ducks and generally looking like a mediocre piece.

Looking at the opposite end of the spectrum, the Florida Panthers are facing questions because Brian Campbell sports a -20 rating (and I’m required to mention that he gets paid too much). Panicking about that mark seems pretty silly when you consider the sorry lot of a team around him, but that’s sports “analysis” for you.

TOUGH BREAKS

Some major-enough injury setbacks that deserve above-the-grouping treatment: Kyle Quincey could miss up to the rest of this season with a fractured cheekbone while David Booth appears to have a high-ankle sprain.

Martin Brodeur is targeting Thursday for his return. The Devils have been sliding without him, even if Johan Hedberg seems to have gotten his act together a bit … Andy McDonald could be back tonight. Still, he’s so injury prone that you have to admit he’s in the “Told ya so” category at this point … Sounds like David Krejci’s issues aren’t too serious … Martin Havlat was activated from the IR, but who’s he fooling? … Ray Whitney could be a nice find, especially if he plays with Loui Eriksson and/or Jamie Benn often … Ray Emery got a win. We’ll see if that means he gets close to half the starts going forward. It might be more like one out of every three, though … Jordan Staal thinks Marc Staal might actually play again this season. Not so sure about that prognosis, honestly … It looked like Victor Hedman and Ryan Malone were banged up by Zac Rinaldo hits on Monday. Not a great sign if those end up being serious.